University of Antelope Valley Top Questions

Apply for fafsa and scholarships early and do so for any aid that you are eligible to get. Academic advisors are your friend. Make sure that you have your classes mapped out with a clear plan each time. Be certain that your class load is realistic. Proper time management is one of the most important skills that you will need, if not the most important. Keep records of everything and make copies if necessary. Do not neglect sleep. It is also important to take time to refresh yourself and to spend time with friends and loved ones. Ignore the gossip and drama. We need to build each other up. College is difficult enough with classes and unexpected life circumstances without unnecessary drama. Be careful not to get stuck on small mistakes. They are how we learn and they make for good stories later on. Ask questions until you fully understand the subject matter, whether it's in class or it has to do with the logistics of being a college student. If you need something, ask for it. You will be surprised how generous people can be. Many people understand the difficulties associated with being a college student.

My college experience has been eventful. I'm 35 and have been off and on trying to continue my education. Financial reasons have kept me from attending. The younger students just graduating high school and those like me trying to find a career are still finding themselves. What I mean is that they party hard and take life for granted. I socialize with my classmates and they make me realize that it was good that I dropped out at the age of 20. At that time in my life I was not focusing on school. Like them I was focusing on hanging out with my friends. Risking my financial aid status. So to keep that from happening I dropped out, went to work, and now I can focus on me and my family, not partying and my friends. I go to school, come home, study, fix dinner, then go to work, come home, study more, and get ready for school the next day. I'm not going to say my study habits are great, I'm still trying to find a pattern. So far I think I found what works.

First I would have told myself to take school more seirously, get better grades, and apply for schlorships. If I would have done all those things I may have been able to have college paid for instead of having thousands of dollars in student loans. I think about what I would have changed all the time. There are so many reasons I can think of but thankfully because of my mistakes I am who I am today. I can look back and know that I did my best in college and I can continue to do better for myself and my famliy. I will be the first one in my whole entire family to graudiate college and I couldnt be happier. My past has showed me things I can actaully change and I have. I can reflect on my past all I want but there is nothing I can do about it now, unless someone invents a time machine, but untill then I will make all my dreams come true and continue my education! Thank you!